The post is funded by the Faraday Institution to develop electrode dry coating manufacturing technology for rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The focus of this research project is to develop electrode dry coating manufacturing technology, scale up dry coating, ensure quality consistency, and test battery performance of the fabricated electrodes. This project will mainly include experimental research activities, design and build electrode processing machinery, assemble lithium ion batteries, and test battery performance.
At Research Associate level: to carry out the research programme in developing electrode dry coating technique of making electrodes for rechargeable batteries, undertake project management, and/or supervise multi-disciplinary teams. The Research Associate will be expected to submit publications to refereed journals and to attract external research funding.
Main Duties:
- Develop electrode dry coating technique of making electrodes for rechargeable lithium ion batteries.
- Design and build electrode processing machinery.
- Assemble batteries using the fabricated electrodes and test battery performance.
- Analysis of data.
- Ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times.
- Maintain accurate and complete records of all findings.
- Assist with writing of reports to research sponsors.
- Present findings to colleagues.
- Provide advice to other staff and students.
- Assist with the publication of findings.
- Attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.
- Develop contacts within the College and the wider community.
- Promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College.
In addition, at Research Associate level:
- Take initiatives in the planning of research.
- Direct the work of small research teams.
- Write reports for submission to research sponsors.
- Submit publications to refereed journals.
- Provide guidance to staff and students.
- Provide guidance to PhD Students.
- Contribute to bids for research grants.
- Conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision.
- Maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental Work.
- Actively participate in the research programme of the Group.
- Publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international meetings.
- Participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars.
- Collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate.
- Contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories.
- Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required.
Other Duties:
- To undertake any necessary training and/or development.
- To undertake appropriate administration tasks.
- To attend relevant meetings.
Research Associate: Hold a PhD in materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or relevant science and engineering discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience
- Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.
Research Assistant: A first / masters degree (or equivalent) in materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or relevant science and engineering discipline
Experience
Practical experience of developing electrode processing techniques for lithium ion batteries, e.g. electrode dry coating
Practical experience within a research environment and publication in relevant and refereed journals
Hands-on experience in designing and building processing machinery for batteries
Hands-on experience of assembling batteries using fabricated electrodes and using electrochemical methods to test battery performance such as galvanostatic charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Hands-on experience of using characterisation techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, etc. to characterise battery materials properties
Knowledge
Knowledge electrode dry coating processing technique
Knowledge of designing and building battery processing machinery
Skills & Abilities
Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
Ability to develop and apply new concepts
Creative approach to problem-solving
Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people
Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication
Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the Internet
Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to produce a high standard of work
Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
Flexible attitude towards work
Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct research and attend conferences
Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
- Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
- Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Our values are at the root of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate Imperial:
- Respect
- Collaboration
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Innovation
Employees are also required to comply with all Imperial policies and regulations.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.
Imperial is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/
Imperial believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes which are ultimately aimed towards finding new treatments and making scientific and medical advances, and where there are no satisfactory or reasonably practical alternatives to their use. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in our care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level. Find out more about animal research at Imperial.
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